Supply-Chain Security

Supply Chain Security encompasses the strategic planning and management of the many functions involved in the protection of our products and other assets as they move throughout the supply-chain network.

The supply-chain network is a critical component of retail management; and while many view the heart of retail as the interactions and events that happen within the store, this support system has always fueled the way. Through a complex web of processes and activity, a well-managed supply chain is absolutely essential to a successful retail operation. Considering that every single piece of retail merchandise must in some way pass through the supply chain network, the need to implement appropriate controls and protect our interests as product moves throughout the network is a critical aspect of retail management.

The role of loss prevention across the supply chain has grown considerably in recent years, and continues to expand even today. The advancements in technology, the evolution of e-commerce and omni-channel retailing, and the mounting sophistication of retail crime will continue to revolutionize our role throughout the supply chain network.As this role grows more complex, our approach to the entire process must evolve as well. As a critical element of our overall programs, this function is much more sophisticated than making sure that doors are locked, keys are punched, and logs are signed; and that image and mentality must change to reflect the true nature of the security management process within the supply chain.

Efficient and effective supply-chain networks are necessary to successfully compete in the global retail market. This is a sophisticated, interdependent network of positions, processes, facilities, functions, responsibilities, tasks, transport, and technology that all culminates with delivering products and services to our customers.From a loss prevention management perspective, our attentions must then focus on disruptive risk. Any disruption in production or delivery will result in potential lost sales, decreased revenue, margin erosion, and profit loss.

Appropriate security plans must be designed to identify potential threats, evaluate how, when and where they may occur, develop effective approaches to mitigate losses, and build programs that improve efficiency and business recovery. Theft is certainly a primary consideration of supply-chain security efforts, but specific risks will vary depending on a variety of factors specific to the unique supply chain network. The potential risks must be identified and analyzed at each point along the network, building the plan that serves as the cornerstone of supply chain resiliency.

There is good news from the latest survey on data breaches. Last year, 19 percent of US retailers experienced a significant breach, down from 22 percent in 2015. The 19 percent figure is also well below the global average for retailers, according to the “2017 Thales Data Threat Report” by Read More

Retail doesn’t start and stop at the front door of our stores. Ultimately, our value depends on our ability to broaden our influence while protecting every aspect of the business enterprise. What is supply-chain management? In essence, it’s a critical component of the retail machine. While we may view the heart of Read More

Cargo theft often is thought of as a silent and victimless crime despite the fact that it accounts for losses of billions of dollars annually in the United States. The most common incidents of cargo theft involve gangs who steal high-value commodities from loaded trailers. Substantial losses can also occur Read More

Supply chain loss prevention has evolved significantly across the retail industry in recent years, a message that echoed loud and clear across the halls at the 2017 International Supply Chain Protection Organization (ISCPO) conference in Dallas, Texas last week. The advancements in retail technology and the ongoing growth of omni-channel Read More

In most large-value cargo thefts occurring at stores, there are two key components: a store employee and a driver. The employee allows access to the goods, while the driver has the means to transport the stolen freight unnoticed.

One key tool in combating this problem is the strict rotation of drivers Read More

Having a general understanding of the customs process is a critical aspect of efficient supply-chain management. But what is customs? Customs is an authority or agency responsible for controlling the flow of goods into and out of a country. Depending on local legislation and regulations, the import or export of Read More

A supply-chain asset protection (SCAP) and risk-management program should include supply-chain risk mitigation plans that help decrease the severity of disruptions throughout the value chain and provide the analytical insights required to develop a flexible supply chain to support each 24/7 channel.

A supply-chain network design that doesn’t take into consideration Read More

Cargo theft has been around for centuries. History has seen robbers attacking merchants on trading roads to pirates seizing ships at sea to bandits on horseback robbing stage coaches. Fast forward to today. Trucks have replaced horse-drawn wagons, and today’s cargo theft perpetrators are often part of international crime syndicates. Read More

As the global market matures and expands, retailers are demanding new logistics capabilities and more complex solutions to meet their supply-chain needs. Factors such as economic growth, expansion into new markets, e-commerce, and a greater acceptance of demand-driven logistics practices introduce complexities into the supply chain and generate the need Read More

Envision the following scenario. You are at home around 8:15 at night watching television with your wife or kids when the phone rings. The caller is one of your regional LP managers in the Southeast. He tells you that you just had a tractor load of high-end apparel worth $2 million Read More

Current Issue

From problematic security solutions to smart things worth repeating from LP execs, from a reimagining of brick-and-mortar retail to conversion rate optimization best practices, the September–October 2017 issue of LP Magazine delivers new ideas to make you a smarter LP professional.